Pakistan Calls for Urgent Global Action Against Islamophobia

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has called on the international community, human rights organizations, and global leaders to take concrete steps against Islamophobia, including preventing the desecration of the Holy Quran, attacks on mosques, and other acts of religious intolerance against Muslims. In his message on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, he reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the urgent appointment of a UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia as a crucial step in addressing this issue. He highlighted that the United Nations General Assembly’s decision to observe March 15 as a global day against Islamophobia reflects the increasing discrimination and violence faced by Muslim communities worldwide.

The prime minister emphasized that this day serves as a powerful call to action for governments to introduce legislative and policy measures to counter Islamophobia. Pakistan, he noted, is proud to have led this initiative at the UN and welcomed steps taken by some member states to outlaw the desecration of the Holy Quran. However, he stressed that more urgent action is needed to combat the systemic marginalization of Muslims and curb the alarming rise in Islamophobic incidents. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advocating for the protection of fundamental human rights and religious freedoms.

Shehbaz Sharif urged the global community to unite against religious intolerance, reaffirming that blasphemy and the desecration of sacred symbols cannot be justified under the guise of free expression. He stressed that for every Muslim, safeguarding the honor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a sacred duty and called for greater respect for all faiths to promote global harmony. He added that international forums must acknowledge the deep pain caused by such acts and work collectively to prevent them. He expressed hope that this day would serve as a catalyst for fostering interfaith dialogue, harmony, and mutual understanding, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to Islam’s true message of love, peace, and tolerance.

Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani called for a united global response against prejudice, hatred, and discrimination towards Muslims. He highlighted that Islamophobia, often used for political motives in certain countries, has led to violent incidents resulting in the martyrdom of innocent Muslims in Western nations. He stressed the importance of promoting interfaith harmony and dialogue to eliminate misunderstandings and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic, political, and social efforts to combat Islamophobia.